Ice Cream, Donuts, Pies, Oh My!

With summer comes lots of indulgent food. I’m talking about how to have summer balance with your food choices. Plus one item that might help satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthier way! 

Charlotte Donut Shop + Summer Balance | Louella Reese | Charlotte Life & Style Blog

photos by back seat photography // full outfit post here 

scarf // jumpsuit // sunglasses // c/o earrings // cuff // handbag // camera 

Summer is the season of fun, right? There’s beach time, days at the lake, backyard BBQs, vacations, parties, and lots and lots of food. Am I right? There’s ice cream for hot summer days and cupcakes + cookies + brownies at every party you attend. Oh not to mention, donut runs because hey it’s summer and it’s the weekend, why not?! It seems while we all want the summer bod of our dreams, we also want to indulge and enjoy all the tasty treats that surround us come summer. Don’t worry, I am right there with you. Give me all the ice cream and cinnamon sugar donuts! 

Recently, as in the past couple of months, I’ve really learned the importance of balance. I’m not ever going to be able to give up my love for sweets and I don’t think I should have to. Everyone needs to indulge once and while! Otherwise bring on binge eating. I do think there needs to be a balance though. Especially if you want to be in shape and healthy. I personally have been working to help curb my sweet tooth aka not eat a dessert after lunch and dinner everyday, and thought I’d share what I’m doing to create balance and a healthier lifestyle. 

Charlotte Donut Shop + Summer Balance | Louella Reese | Charlotte Life & Style Blog

Charlotte Donut Shop + Summer Balance | Louella Reese | Charlotte Life & Style Blog

Charlotte Donut Shop + Summer Balance | Louella Reese | Charlotte Life & Style BlogStep one, was to allow myself one sweet treat a day. Therefore, cutting my intake in half. So it was either have a little dessert after lunch or after dinner. It’s one or the other, so I had to decide which one I wanted more. One way to lower my sugar intake while still ending the afternoon or day satisfied! 

Second, I started to replace my go to cookies or ice cream with a healthier option. One of my favorites is OVI Hydration water. OVI Hydration water is a delicious infusion of water, fruit juice, honey and natural minerals with antioxidants from green tea. Plus a whole bottle of the water is only 90 calories.  Therefore, a much better choice than that massive chocolate chip cookie that would take up half my allotment of calories for the day. 

Third, save indulging desserts for specific days. For me, it has been easier to have those indulgent days on the weekend while being healthier during the week. Therefore, I eat healthy Monday-Friday and allow for Saturday + Sunday to be more on the not to healthy side. That doesn’t mean I go full on pizza, wine + beer, cheese, ice cream, donut, pies, oh my! I still try to make smart choices for one-two of my meals each of those days. But if we stop into an ice cream shop, I’m getting chocolate with Oreos. And if Joshua wants to grab donuts Saturday morning, I’m reaching for the cinnamon sugar, maybe a chocolate one too! During the week, when I am wanting something sweet, I’ll reach for a OVI Hydration Mango or Peach flavor to satisfy that sweet craving and also stay hydrated! 

Charlotte Donut Shop + Summer Balance | Louella Reese | Charlotte Life & Style Blog

Charlotte Donut Shop + Summer Balance | Louella Reese | Charlotte Life & Style Blog

Charlotte Donut Shop + Summer Balance | Louella Reese | Charlotte Life & Style Blog

scarf // jumpsuit // sunglasses // c/o earrings // cuff // handbag // camera 

Now I know I’m throwing yummy donuts in your face right now but this was one of my indulgent days. These donuts were my sweet treat for the day and you’ll see, I have my OVI Hydration there to satisfy a craving later! 

I hope these little tips help you out! They have truly helped me and I am really happy with the results I am seeing and also feeling. I have more energy, feel better about myself, and don’t have those sugar high crashes as often. Which is a huge perk when you’re trying to get a lot done! 

If you have any tips or tricks to curb your sweet tooth, please shoot me an email {[email protected]} or comment below! I would love to hear them! I love hearing about y’alls experiences and some of you have given me the BEST advice on different topics talked about here on the blog. Getting emails from y’all is my favorite! 

Thank you to OVI Hydration for sponsoring this post. All views and opinions are of course my own! 

32 Comments

  1. Morgan wrote:

    You are so right! All about balance! I have such a love/hate relationship with sweets and they are what tugs at my willpower the most. Great idea to replace a sweet treat with a flavored water!

    -Morgan
    How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com

    Posted 7.6.17
    • Thanks Morgan! I am right there with you. Sugar is definitely my weakness. Hope you find the tip helpful for yourself too.

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 7.6.17
  2. Jessica wrote:

    Balance is so hard to keep in mind sometimes. I love the idea of a donut AND a healthy drink!

    xo Jessica
    My Style Vita

    Posted 7.6.17
    • It really is! Definitely heading in the right direction. A little compromise ha.

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 7.6.17
  3. Vaishali wrote:
    Posted 7.6.17
  4. Tasha Juli wrote:

    Ugh! I went gluten free a few years ago and this totally gives me donut envy!
    Tasha Juli
    stylesplendorbliss.com

    Posted 7.6.17
    • Ah sorry lady! If you were in Charlotte, I would take you to a bakery here that carries gluten free donuts.

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 7.6.17
  5. all the good things in life!

    Posted 7.6.17
  6. Maggie wrote:

    Seriously want to eat those sweets!! Balance is so important – I can’t give up sweets either!

    Maggie @ Polished Closets

    Posted 7.6.17
    • It’s SO hard, isn’t it? Struggle is real but as you said, balance is important.

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 7.6.17
  7. Shira wrote:

    I totally agree about being balanced and letting yourself have all different kinds of food in moderation!

    Posted 7.6.17
  8. Those look aaaaamazing! <3

    BlondieInTheCity.com

    Posted 7.6.17
  9. Okay, I’m drooling over here!

    Posted 7.7.17
  10. Sarah K Tripp wrote:

    Sugar is totally my weakness! Going to have to try this!

    Posted 7.7.17
  11. Bella wrote:

    I am always craving sweet stuff, I became diabetic not to long ago so I cant eat sugar anymore so I found eating sweet fruits and yogurt covered fruits and then freezing them is always goof for the cravings!

    Posted 7.7.17
  12. I could go for a donut right now šŸ˜‰

    Posted 7.9.17
  13. That OVI water looks good! I will definitely have to try it!

    Posted 7.9.17
  14. Belinda wrote:

    Balance is definitely the key. I eat healthy during the week too and have 2 sugar-free popsicles for my treat each night…but definitely look forward to a good cheat meal on the weekends!!

    Posted 7.11.17
    • Oh I love this! I definitely need to get on the sugar free popsicle bandwagon.

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 7.11.17
  15. Sara wrote:

    I’ve never heard of this OVI water before and think I def need to hunt a bottle down because I get easily dehydrated in the Summer!

    xo, Sara

    Posted 7.12.17
  16. These are such great tips! I have been trying to eat healthier lately. Need to get some OVI water!

    -Tristan

    Posted 7.12.17

Comments are closed.